Talent Unleashed Awards 2016 are open to digital small businesses

It wasn’t too long ago that SMEs saw tech innovation as a tool to assist in the development of their business rather than as the springboard which would launch them into the international market.

Now digital SMEs are smarting up to the relevancy and benefits of integrating inventive technologies in the growth and sustainability of their businesses including improved customer reach, competitive advantage and cost savings.

While start-ups tend to dominate the conversation on the role of innovation in the Australian business sector, small businesses are also inspiring disruption in the global economy.

Recognising this success, IT recruitment agency Talent has opened their fourth edition of the Talent Unleashed Awards and for the second year they will be running a digital SME award category to identify leadership in tech innovation. Awards will this year also be issued to the best social impact startup, the best tech innovation startup, the most disruptive chief innovation or technology officer, and best tech IPO or venture capital raising.

“It’s a wild ride getting an idea off the ground and creating great companies which are changing things for the better. We need to highlight these people that work in this incredible industry right now and that’s why I’m involved in the Unleashed Awards,” said this year’s judge Steve Wozniak.

In July, regional finals will be held in London and Melbourne, and in August the award finalists will be brought together in Sydney to pitch to a panel of entrepreneurial leaders. This year’s judges include Sir Richard Branson, Steve Wozniak, Cliff Rosenberg, Jane Tewson of Igniting Change, Jade Zhang of Okmno Asia, and Patrick Grove of Catcha Group.

The winners of each category will win one-on-one time with Wozniak and a trip to Silicon Valley, where they will attend a tech conference and a tour of various company offices.

Contributing his expertise for the fourth year, Branson said, “The technology sector will continue to transform and disrupt the global economy for many years to come and importantly can make the world a better place.”

“We must encourage more talented individuals and organisations to become bolder and more active and in the process help drive innovation, invention and more efficiency and change across many sectors.”

The best digital SME award last year went to Be Intent, a personalised cloud based productivity and performance tool for employees which utilises neuroscience and psychology research.